Department of Materials Science & Engineering

MSE stands among the best materials, metallurgy and ceramics departments in the nation. The department firmly believes that research is teaching, and so students of all levels are involved in almost every research and development project.

Administration & Advising

What do Materials Engineers do?

Materials engineers are involved in the development, processing and testing of the materials used to create a range of products — from computer chips and aircraft wings to golf clubs and snow skis. They work with metals, ceramics, plastics, semiconductors and composites to create new materials that meet certain mechanical, electrical and chemical requirements. They are also involved in selecting materials for new applications. Materials engineers have developed the ability to create and then study materials at an atomic level, using advanced processes to replicate the characteristics of materials and their components with computers. Most materials engineers specialize in a particular material. For example, metallurgical engineers specialize in metals such as steel, and ceramic engineers develop ceramic materials and the processes for making them into useful products such as glassware or fiber optic communication lines.